Question

Which statement by the wife of a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) demonstrates an accurate understanding of her husband's medication regimen?

A) "I'm really hoping his medications will slow down his mental losses."
B) "We're both holding out hope that this medication will cure his disease."
C) "I know that this won't cure him, but we learned that it might prevent a bodily decline while he declines mentally."
D) "I learned that if we are vigilant about his medication schedule, he may not experience the physical effects of his disease."

Answer 1

Option (A), which suggests hope for the medications to slow down mental losses in Alzheimer's disease, demonstrates an accurate understanding since current medications can improve neuronal communication and potentially slow symptom progression but not cure the disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wife of a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who demonstrates an accurate understanding of her husband's medication regimen would be the one who says: "I'm really hoping his medications will slow down his mental losses." This statement best reflects the current capabilities of Alzheimer's treatments, which can improve communication between brain cells and may slow the progression of symptoms but do not cure the disease. Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors help increase acetylcholine neurotransmission by inhibiting acetylcholine breakdown, which enhances communication between neurons and can improve functioning in those with AD. However, these medications do not prevent the physical decline associated with the disease, nor do they cure it.